Putting God's Word into Practice…

Acts 13 ~ Too Much to Properly Title

I’ve been reading this same chapter for 3 days. It is rich with theological truths about each person of the trinity and the different ways people respond to these truths.

Holy Spirit: 1) “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit SAID…” When we draw near and prepare our hearts, the Holy Spirit speaks. 2) The Holy Spirit sets apart people for His work. 3) The Holy Spirit sends people out in His power for His purpose. 4) The Holy Spirit saturates and fills God’s people. (Verses 2-4, 9, 52)

Personal Holy Spirit interference: I stay too busy to prepare my heart to hear Him. I rely too heavily on my own ideas and agendas to know what He is setting me apart to do. I think I’m strong enough to go out into the world without leaning fully on His strength.

God the Father: When Saul/Paul was sent out to Antioch, he preached a powerful message to the people. In it he referenced the work of the Father at least 12 times.

God CHOSE to strengthen the Israelites in Egypt (17)

God LED them out of Egypt (17)

God CARRIED them in the wilderness (18)

God GAVE them their land as an inheritance (19)

God GAVE them judges (20)

God GAVE them King Saul (21)

God REMOVED King Saul (22)

God RAISED up King David (22)

God PROMISED a Savior (23)

God GAVE them Jesus (23)

God RAISED Jesus from the dead (30, 37)

God FULFILLED His promise through Jesus (33)

Father God is a good, generous, faithful, covenant-keeping Father. Reading through the list of verbs, I have seem Him accomplish faithfully those same actions in my heart and life. God chose me; He leads me; He carries me; He gives and gives and gives. He has been so good to me!

Jesus, God the Son: He is the promised Savior who was condemned to death although no guilt worthy of death was found in Him. He hung on a cross and was buried. The Father raised Him from the dead. Afterward, Jesus appeared to many people that attest to these truths. So what does this have to do with you and me. Verse 38-39 says, “Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IS FREED FROM EVERYTHING from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” Wow! The problem is that in our prideful stubborn hearts, most refuse to be set free. And sometimes those who have been set free–forget the wonder of it all.

MAJORITY RESPONSE OF MANKIND TO THIS TRUTH:

Oppose the Word of God (8)

Enemy of righteousness (10)

Want another authority besides God (21)

Don’t recognize/understand truth about Jesus (27)

Condemn Jesus (27)

Filled with jealousy (45)

Contradict truth (45)

Thrust the truth aside and judge themselves unworthy of eternal life (46)

Insight persecution (50)

THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE

Astonished at the teaching of the Lord (12)

Beg for more teaching (42)

Rejoice (48)

Glorify God (48)

Are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (52) which then circles back around…

Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit are set apart for work that He sends them out to do in His power.